As international conflict escalates, how would Jesus have us seek shalom wherever we stand?

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9)

Scan the globe and you’ll find over 40 countries locked in conflict that destroys lives and devastates community and creation alike. Russia and Ukraine; Israel and Palestine; the civil wars in Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, and Ethiopia; terrorist insurgencies in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and border conflicts between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

If we broaden the lens beyond regional conflicts, we find increasingly hostile relations between NATO and the Western bloc on the one hand and the strengthening axis of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea on the other. Much like in the early 20th Century, many warn that we are once again stumbling into world war.

As followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is his church ready for the complex task of peacemaking in wartime, starting right where we are in our daily lives?

That’s what this Wisdom Lab is all about. Building on a five-part blog series, we heard from a panel of expert peacemakers – in politics, military strategy, diplomacy, academia, church leadership training, and high school teaching – each squarely facing war’s consequences in their local context in a Christlike way.

We are all interconnected, standing on common fault lines. Though the UK is currently far removed from the active battle zone, hatred can still erupt in our neighbourhoods – whether it’s kids repeating their parents’ prejudice in the classroom, job shortages driving anger at immigrants, or isolated acts of terror bringing violence to the innocent.

So what does it mean to seek an end to hostility and help others flourish in right relationship with God and each other, on our own contested bit of the planet?

During this thoughtful discussion, through evidence-based insights and honest dialogue, we were challenged and inspired to seek shalom starting right where we are, maximising peace and minimising unnecessary force. Because in the power of the Spirit, we can be a sign of how the world will look when all is set right.

Now it’s your turn! Whether as an individual, or with your small group, this resource is designed to help you join the conversation, equipped to follow the peaceful way of Jesus and cultivate amity amidst animosity.

Recorded at LICC on 27 March 2025

Timings:

1. Framing this Wisdom Lab – 00:00:00
2. Introduction to the panel – 00:13:08
3. Listen to what’s going on and why – 00:017:36
4. Imagine what should be going on – 00:28:47
5. Discussion break to listen and imagine – 00:38:10
6. Michael Schluter on relational peacebuilding – 00:39:49
7. Create a better response – 00:43:05
8. Communicate a better story – 00:56:07
9. Discussion break to create and communicate – 01:09:03
10. Alan Storkey on disarmament – 01:10:08
11. Panel discussion with Q&A – 01:17:53
12. A closing reflection and prayer – 01:29:03

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Helpful articles

Wisdom Lab series

As part of their contribution to this Wisdom Lab, each speaker wrote a blog article exploring their topic further:

• Part one: ‘Witnessing to peace amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine’, by Prof Dr Joshua Searle

The Russo-Ukrainian war reminds us that the world today is not as God intended it to be. God calls us to actively participate in his reconciliatory work, but what does this look like in the face of aggression? Prof Dr Joshua Searle unpacks his own activism as a theological educator and founder of Dnipro Hope Mission

• Part two: ‘Walking backwards to disarmament’, by Dr Alan Storkey

As those who follow the Prince of Peace, Dr Alan Storkey argues Christians must stand for world disarmament – confronting war, pursuing peace, loving our enemies, and snapping the spear in sunder

• Part three: ‘Coming to the table’, by Dr Michael Schluter & Mims Schluter Atkinson

Through the lens of five relational principles, Mims Schluter Atkinson and Dr Michael Schluter explore what truly makes for peace, both with one’s neighbours over the fence and with foreign nations over the border

• Part four: ‘Searching for God’s image in war criminals’, by Alex Fergusson

From his experience working in humanitarian aid with Medair, Alex Fergusson argues we can positively impact violent, war-torn situations by holding complex, seemingly contradictory ideas in tension, being humble in how we hold our own opinions, and listening to others

• Part five: ‘Peacemaking through RE and how to calm the TikTok storm’, by Annabelle Adams

71% of young people read the news through social media – they form opinions on global events via other people’s opinions. It’s an echo chamber and it artificially fuels conflict. Read on to find out why Annabelle Adams believes RE can help calm the TikTok storm

Connecting with Culture

Blog articles that engage with issues in our culture, considering how we might respond in our everyday lives in a Christlike way:

• A targum for those gambling with World War Three
• Why Christians need to rethink defence and security issues
• An American president with a global impact
• For Russia, with love: Navalny vs Putin and the way of the cross
• The Southport riots: the should and could of loving our neighbours
• ‘Frontline ministry’ in war-torn Ukraine
• Pray for Ukraine
• A problem like Syria
• Fire and fury
• A display of power

Other LICC articles and videos

• Fight Like a Christian (panel discussion)
• Peacemaking starts with you
• A high-profile peacemaker: an interview with Leah Brown | LICC

More wisdom on peacemaking

Many thanks to Martin Tiller, co-chair for the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), for these helpful sources:

• The Christian CND website points to prayer meetings, pilgrimages, rallies, and other ways to get involved through school, work, background briefings and more
• From a secular perspective, see the ICAN website (The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) for an overview of the problem and ways forward toward just disarmament
• See TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons) for a youth movement of under-30s making a difference in this crucial space
• And if you’re looking for ways to ethically invest, aligned with peaceful values, see ‘Don’t Bank on the Bomb’ toward divestment